NSW Beyer-Garratt Locomotives

A Garratt (often referred to as a Beyer Garratt) is a type of steam locomotive invented by British engineer Herbert William Garratt that is articulated into three parts. Its boiler, firebox, and cab are mounted on a centre frame or "bridge". The two other parts, one at each end, have a pivot to support the central frame; they consist of a steam engine unit – with driving wheels, trailing wheels, valve gear, and cylinders, and above it, fuel and/or water storage.

Articulation permits locomotives to negotiate curves that might restrict large rigid-framed locomotives. The design also provides more driving wheels per unit of locomotive weight, permitting operation on lightly engineered track. Garratt locomotives produced as much as twice the power output of the largest conventional locomotives of railways that introduced them, reducing the need for multiple locomotives and crews.

NSW AD60 class

The AD60 class were Beyer-Garratt patent articulated four-cylinder, simple, non-condensing, coal-fired superheated, 4-8-4+4-8-4 heavy goods steam locomotives built by Beyer, Peacock and Company for the New South Wales Government Railways. The AD60 was the only type of Garratt locomotive to operate on the New South Wales Government Railways. Designed to a light axle load of only 16 long tons (16.3 t; 17.9 short tons), they were intended for hauling feeder branch-line services to the main lines where heavier main-line locomotives could continue with the load. In 1949, twenty-five were initially ordered from Beyer, Peacock and Company, followed by a further twenty-five. Following a change of policy in favour of diesel traction, negotiations were entered into, and a total of 42 complete locomotives were delivered, together with spare parts equating to approximately five further locomotives.

Locomotive 6002 was the first to enter service in July 1952 with the last, 6040 delivered on 2 January 1957. The class initially entered service on the Main North and Main South and later Main Western line as far as Dubbo and Parkes. Because of their light axle load they were cleared to operate on the Crookwell, Captains Flat, Temora, Narrandera and Bourke lines. 6012 was the first of the class to be withdrawn in 1955.

Dieselisation accounted for the gradual withdrawal of the other 39 of the class from 1965. The last withdrawn was 6042 which operated the final New South Wales Government Railways steam service on 22 February 1973. Shortly after, it was chosen to work the ceremonial "Last Steam Train" from Newcastle to Broadmeadow on 2 March 1973. Four examples has been preserved: 6029 and 6040 are both at the NSW Railway Museum, Thirlmere. The latter is a static exhibit, 6029 is operational and regularly hauls heritage passenger trains; 6039 is in storage at Dorrigo; 6042 is in storage at Forbes.

Beyer-Garratt 6029

Locomotive 6029 entered service in April 1954, receiving its dual control in February 1959. It was withdrawn from service in 1972, having travelled just under 100,000 km during its working life. The Garratt was acquired by the National Museum of Australia in 1974 and placed in the care of the Australian Railway Historical Society’s Canberra Railway Museum, which restored it to working order. In 2014, it retrurned to the rsils, becoming the pride of the Canberra Railway Museum’s heritage fleet. 6029 was transferred to the NSW Rail Museum along with other assets from the Canberra Railway Museum for storage and safe keeping when the ARHS ACT went into administration in late 2016.

It was purchased by a small consortium of steam locomotive enthusiasts in 2017 and relocated it to the NSW Rail Museum, in Thirlmere, where THNSW has operated the engine under agreement with the previous owners ever since. In 2022, the locomotive was secured by the NSW Government for the State's heritage transport

Beyer-Garratt 6039

6039 was one of 31 class members which received modifications during NSWGR service, including Dual Control (DC) to allow the locomotive to be driven easily in the “reverse” direction, and increased cylinder diameter for greater tractive effort ("++") and thus was known as a “DC++” modified AD60. Bult in 1953, NSWGR 6039 is owned by the Dorrigo Steam & Railway Museum, Dorrigo, NSW, and is in storage.

Beyer-Garratt 6042

Built in 1956 this Beyer Garratt "6042" had the privilege of operating the final New South Wales Government Railways steam service in February 1973. In 1974, 6042 was purchased by the Lachlan Vintage Village in Forbes. A few years later in 1979 she was relocated under her own steam power to the Vintage Village. (temporary rail had to be put down to get here to her resting place). This tourism attraction showcased days-gone-by and old trades and was a popular location regionally for school excursions and visitors. The Lachlan Vintage Village formally closed to the public in 2004.

In November 1986 the locomotive was sold to Dorrigo railway Museum at a cost of $50,000, but due to no rail link and the high cost of relocation, the locomotive has sat idle for over 40 years.